For over 70 years, Cushcraft® Antennas has been a leading innovator in amateur radio antennas. Our commitment to quality, performance and value has made us a trusted name in antennas for hobbyists and professionals alike.
Our History
Cushcraft® Antennas was founded in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1954 by Richard Cushman, an electrical engineer and avid ham radio operator. As a teenager, Cushman was fascinated by radio technology and earned his amateur radio license in high school. He soon began tinkering with antenna design in his parents’ garage, determined to build better antennas than what was commercially available at the time.
After gaining recognition for his innovative Yagi and vertical antenna designs, Cushman decided to turn his passion into a business. In 1954, he officially established Cushcraft® Antennas and began selling his amateur radio antennas by mail order.
The fledgling company steadily grew throughout the 50s and 60s, expanding its catalog to include directional beams, multiband trapped verticals, mobile antennas and more. Cushcraft® antennas gained popularity for their high performance, durable construction and reasonable cost.
In the 1970s, Cushcraft® moved to a larger manufacturing facility to meet increasing demand. We also began developing commercial and military antennas to diversify the business. However, our commitment to the amateur radio community remained strong.
Over the decades, Cushcraft® continued innovating and refining our amateur product lines. We introduced the revolutionary R-series Yagis in the 80s and the high-gain XM series in the 2000s. Our antennas have been used globally in high-profile amateur events such as DXpeditions.
Today, Cushcraft® proudly manufactures all of our antennas in the USA at our state-of-the-art facility in Manchester, NH. Now in our 7th decade, we remain dedicated to helping ham operators achieve maximum performance from their stations.
Our Antennas
The Cushcraft® name has become synonymous with high-quality amateur radio antennas. Some of our most popular models include:
- A-Series Yagis – Our premium line of monoband and multiband Yagi antennas, renowned for gain, front-to-back ratio and clean radiation patterns. Ideal for serious DXing and contesting.
- XM Yagis – Featuring extreme gain and optimized designs, the XM series takes Yagi performance to cutting-edge levels.
- R-Series Yagis – Offering top-tier performance at a moderate cost, R-series Yagis balance gain, F/B and ease of assembly. One of our most popular models over the years.
- MA5 Series – Unique mini-Yagis provide surprising gain in a very compact, lightweight package. Easy to deploy and ideal for portable operations.
- Trapped Verticals – Models like the R-6000 cover multiple HF bands with a single antenna using advanced trap technology.
- HF Multiband Beams – These antennas pack multiple bands into a single antenna, saving space and costs.
- VHF/UHF Yagis – High gain directional Yagis with excellent performance on the VHF/UHF amateur bands. Ideal for weak signal work.
- HF Mobile Antennas – Rugged and efficient HF antennas for operation while driving. Easy to mount on your vehicle.
Every Cushcraft® antenna is meticulously engineered and rigorously tested to provide long service life and optimum results. We use only the highest quality materials and components.
Our People
In addition to using leading-edge design software, Cushcraft® employs seasoned professionals who collectively have centuries of experience in antenna design and manufacturing.
Our engineering team is constantly innovating and enhancing our products. They regularly publish papers and host workshops to advance the state of the art in amateur radio antennas.
Our factory staff takes great pride in assembling every Cushcraft® antenna by hand with care and precision. We use time-tested manufacturing techniques combined with modern technology to ensure consistent quality.
Our technical support team provides prompt, friendly assistance to help customers get their Cushcraft® antennas up and running optimally. We want you to get maximum enjoyment from your new antenna.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Cushcraft® Antennas, we are fanatical about quality. Each antenna design goes through rigorous computer modeling, prototyping and field testing before entering production. All raw materials and components are carefully sourced from trusted suppliers and inspected upon arrival. Our staff assembles each antenna by hand with close attention to detail.
Every production antenna then undergoes a battery of tests including:
- SWR sweep – checking SWR across the full specified bandwidth
- Pattern testing – verifying the antenna’s radiation pattern matches specifications
- Gain verification – measuring gain with precision antenna range equipment
- Environmental stress – simulating years of UV, cold, heat and vibration
Antennas that pass this stringent testing carry our Full Cushcraft® Warranty for defect-free materials and workmanship.
We take this exhaustive approach to ensure every Cushcraft® antenna will perform optimally for many years on the tower. Simply put, we aim to build the highest quality amateur antennas available today.
Our Customers
Cushcraft® users span the globe and the spectrum of amateur radio interests including:
- Casual Hams – who appreciate getting great results from a high-performance antenna without breaking the bank.
- DX Enthusiasts – who rely on their Cushcraft® antenna to pull in rare contacts from exotic locales.
- Contesters – who use Cushcraft® antennas to gain a competitive edge during demanding on-air events.
- Portable Operators – who pack lightweight Cushcraft® models on backpacking trips to activate mountain summits.
- Clubs/Groups – who come together to put up Cushcraft® antennas at their club station for all to enjoy.
- EMCOMM – who appreciate the reliability and performance of Cushcraft® antennas when storms or disasters strike.
We enjoy seeing the creative ways our customers use Cushcraft® antennas to pursue their radio passions. Please share your antenna photos and experiences with us!
Looking Ahead
As we enter our 8th decade, Cushcraft® remains committed to leading the way in amateur radio antenna innovation.
Our engineering team is constantly experimenting with new materials and technologies to push the boundaries of antenna design. You can continue to expect cutting-edge performance from our new models.
We also plan to continue expanding our antenna line to cover more bands and applications. We aim to provide high-performance Cushcraft® antennas to meet the needs of all radio amateurs.
Most importantly, we will never forget our roots in the amateur radio community. Helping fellow hams achieve success on the air will always be our passion and mission.
Here’s to many more decades of exciting QSOs with Cushcraft® Antennas! Please contact us with any questions, antenna suggestions or just to chat radio.
73,
Cushcraft® Antennas Team